People v. Reese

This case presents question as to whether record contained sufficient evidence to support defendant’s guilty verdict on charge of aggravated vehicular hijacking under circumstances where defendant, during escape from custody, held sharpened metal shank to bus driver’s throat and forced bus driver to drive bus by threatening to stab him. Appellate Court majority, in relying on Strickland, 154 Ill.2d 489, found that such evidence did not prove offense of aggravated vehicular hijacking, since defendant did not take bus away from driver or otherwise dispossess bus driver of bus when defendant commandeered bus. Dissenting Justice, though, would construe term “takes” in relevant statute as merely depriving one of control over vehicle.